Hi all,

I enjoy reading all the technical posts and am ready to do full flush on recent X-type purchased. When I searched 'Valvoline Max life ATF' this was one of the results:
VALVOLINE 773775 Transmission Fluid,1 Gal,Red G1769677

I did not see the 773775 in this thread. Question is this correct fluid for 2003 X-type ATF? Also if anyone has recommendation for urethane rear sway bar and link arm bushings that would be much appreciated!

 

I would check with Valvoline direct, definitely not the retailer. It needs to be specifically recommended for the gearbox in your car, which if 5-speed will need fluid specifically designed for the JATCO gearbox. If 6-speed then the fluid spec changes to LT71141.
You are well advised not to purchase the Valvoline product unless and until the manufacturer approves its use in your car. Installing the incorrect fluid can cause all kinds of damage to an auto transmission. In extreme cases the wrong fluid can weaken the adhesives holding critical friction linings in place.

Your suspension bushings will respond well to a silicone lubricant, either in spray or tube format.

 

Jaguar X-Type
Calls for the following fluid specs
Esso LT 71141; Shell ATF 3403 M115; Shell M1375.4; MERCON V XT-5-QM ATF; IDEMITSU K17; Jatco 3100 PL085


This meets and exceeds JATCO's specs;

Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF

Valvoline MaxLife ATF is also approved or recommended for the JAG's JATCO, which is a synthetic based ATF

 

From another thread, but it relates.

 

+1

Red-Line is the top shelf in all their products..I use them now exclusively in both my GMC and Jaguar.

 

I called Ashland/Valvoline and verified the Valvoline MaxLife 773775 GAL meets Jatco 3100. I found 5 gallon bucket at Jet.com for $89 free shipping. Net cost was $74 after discounts. Part number is different but also verified with Eric @ Valvoline that this is same as 773775.

Valvoline VV349 DEX/MERC Automatic Transmission Fluid 5 Gal

Links to Valvoline compatibility
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.carquestprofessionals.com/catalogs/chemicals/V-6217%2520ATF%2520Application%2520NON-Laminated%2520Guide%25206.10.13.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjYs 7_NgqvNAhULT1IKHRi0DccQFgggMAE&usg=AFQjCNEDYz4oIEI MfMaOEmmi4ymNsQZy4w&sig2=jZ9BwJSkCrlaHf_UFRyOgQ

 

Clickable

http://www.carquestprofessionals.com...%206.10.13.pdf

" 2001.5-2008: X Type SLF IDEMITSU K17, JATCO 3100
PL085 MaxLife ATF "

 

With the automatic transmission being the second-most expensive component on this (or any) car, do you really want cheap fluid? In my experience the best lubricants are made by AMSOIL. You won't find them on the shelf at a big-box parts store, but they're easily obtainable.

 

I do not think anybody is complaining about the cost of ATF on the X-Type, we are simply trying to identify sources other than Ford for the fluid specifically recommended for the JATCO 5-speed transmission.
I checked the Amsoil.com website and unfortunately they have no products at all for the X-Type.

 

Using the vehicle look-up on AMSOIL website, you'll see that the ATF specification required is Idemitsu K17. Check the data bulletins for both Multi-Vehicle products (OTFQT and ATFQT) displayed and you'll see both meet that specification. Everyone's got their favorites (fluids, parts); for me it's AMSOIL for the last 20 years.

 

Go to Valvoline website and download a table, specifying which ATF for which car. MAXlife ATF is OK for 99% of cars, it is $20/gallon. I would never use ATF from a dealer, it is 3x cost.

 

^^^^ I did go there and the specs for MAXlife listed DO NOT say it meets Idemitsu k17, so I WOULD NOT use it.